Multi-compartment carton and blank therefor



April 1964 c. E. PALMER ETAL 3,130,894

MULTI-COMPARTMENT CARTON AND BLANK THEREFOR Filed April 30, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS CHARLES E.PALMER JOSEPH S. LEMANSKI ATTORNEY April 28, 1964 c. E. PALMER ETAL 3,130,894

MULTI-COMPARTMENT CARTON AND BLANK THEREFOR Filed April 50, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 5

a 8 INVENTORS CHARLES E. PALMER 9 JOSEPH S.LEMANSKI a BY {17 g izz:

k 1 ATTORNEY United tates Patent 3,13%,894 MULTI-COMPARTMENT CARTON AND BLANK THEREFQR Charies E. Palmer, Turnpike Read, Somers, Conn., and Joseph S. Lemanski, East Longmeadow, Mass; said Lernanski assignor to said Fairner Fiied Apr. 39, 1962, er. No. 191,034 17 Claims. (Cl. 22928) The present invention relates to packaging and more particularly to packages having a plurality of compartments or sections for fragile items such as eggs, fruit, vegetables and the like, and to blanks and semi-assembled units making the same.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel and relatively high strength carton having a plurality of compartments which uses an integral integument or cover of synthetic plastic sheet material and a divider structure which provides a skeletal framework for the carton;

Another object is to provide such a multi-compartment carton which is simply and readily fabricated and wherein the articles received therein are supported upwardly from the bottommost portion of the carton so as to protect them from injury.

Still another object is to provide a multi-compartment carton providing protective support for fragile articles received therein which may be readily assembled and in which there is utilized a transparent cover or integument for display of the articles contained therein.

A further object is to provide a semi-assembled multicompartment carton unit which may be shipped in a substantially flat condition and which may be readily assembled by the user into the finished carton.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out more in detail hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereafter set forth and the scope of the application which will be indicated in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multi-compartment egg carton embodying the present invention and showing in phantom internal construction and articles received therein;

FIG. 2 is a plan view to a reduced scale of the cover of synthetic plastic sheet material utilized in the carton of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the carton of FIG. 1 to a reduced scale with the cover broken away and the eggs removed to reveal internal construction;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary bottom View of the carton in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a semi-assembled carton unit for the carton of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an end view of the semi-assembled carton unit of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary bottom view of the semi-assembled carton unit of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is an end view of the carton of FIG. 1 with the cover shown in phantom in the partially open position; and

FIG. 9 is a sectional view along the line 9-9 of FIG. 3.

We have now found that the foregoing and related objects can be attained by a carton which is formed from interlocked transverse and longitudinal reinforcing ribs of a semi-rigid sheet material providing a divider skeleton and a cover or skin of synthetic plastic sheet conforming to the periphery of and interlocked with the transverse ribs. The general contour of the lower and side portions of the transverse ribs is most desirably curvilinear so as to ensure close fitting of the plastic cover thereto and 3,130,894 Patented Apr. 28, 1964 optimum strength in the cover. Feet are provided on the bottom edge of the transverse ribs on opposite sides of the center line thereof and extend through cutouts or slots in the plastic cover to space the cover adjacent thereto upwardly from a supporting surface and thereby the articles received within the carton so as to minimize the likelihood of injury thereto. In the preferred embodiment, the ribs have linear upper edge portions which define a flat surface area to the carton so as to enable stacking of a plurality of cartons.

Referring now to the attached drawings in detail, an egg carton embodying the present invention is generally comprised of a skeleton formed by the longitudinal center rib 2 and the transverse ribs 4, 6 and the cover 8 of synthetic plastic sheet material which extends about the periphery of the transverse ribs 4, 6 and interlocks therewith.

Turning in detail first to the skeleton, the two transverse ribs 4 are located adjacent the ends of the longitudinal center rib 2 and define end walls for the carton. As best seen in FIG. 9, the transverse ribs 4 are provided with vertical slots 9 in their center portions through which the locking tabs 15 on the longitudinal center rib 2 extend. Each of the tabs 15 has a tail portion 17 with an outwardly tapering end extending below the slot 9 to facilitate insertion through the slots and to prevent inadvertent disassembly. Five intermediate transverse ribs 6 are spaced between the end ribs 4 to define a dozen individual compartments and these intermediate ribs 6 are conveniently and simply interlocked with the longitudinal rib 2 by interfitting or dovetailed notches in the respective ribs. As can be seen, the interlocking notches in the several ribs are dimensioned and located so that the longitudinal center rib 2 bisects the transverse ribs 4, 6 and has its bottom edge substantially coplanar with the contiguous portions of the bottom edges of the transverse ribs so as to provide optimum strength and stability to the assembled carton.

As best seen in FIG. 8, depend ng from the bottom edge of each of the transverse ribs 4, 6 are feet 10, 12 disposed on opposite sides of the center line thereof, and locking tabs 14, 16 having upwardly extending ears 18, 26 are provided on the side edges adjacent the upper ends thereof. The feet 10 have ears 11 thereon extending laterally towards the centerline of the carton along the outer surface of the cover 8 to prevent inadvertent disengagement in the assembled position and to maintain the cover 83 and ribs 4, 6 in the partially assembled unit stage for shipments as will be described more in detail hereinafter. As best seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, an arcuate recess 13 is provided at the juncture of the outer side edge of the feet it! and the body of the ribs to enhance the lock against inadvertent disengagement.

In the illustrated embodiment, the transversely extending ribs 4, 6 each have a substantially curvilinear periph eral portion defined by the bottom and said edge portions exclusive of the feet 16, 12 and locking tabs 14, 16. In the instance of the transverse end ribs 4, the top edge 22 is linear whereas the top edges of the intermediate ribs 6 have linear portions 24 adjacent the side edges and a notched-out portion 26 intermediate the ends to facilitate removal of the contents. In this manner, the top edges 22 of the end transverse ribs 4 and the uppermost top edge portions 24 of the intermediate transverse ribs 6 are linear and generally coplanar and define a flat surface to enable stacking of a plurality of containers.

Turning now in detail to the cover 8, as best seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 8, the blank of plastic sheet material is provided with a series of aligned rows of elongated apertures or slots through which the feet and locking tabs extend. Commencing with the inner of the overlapping ends, a row of elongated apertures 28 slightly rotated from the major axis of the cover is provided inwardly of the extreme end thereof through which the locking tabs 14 extend, and the ears 18 thereof extend along the outer surface of the cover to prevent inadvertent disengagement. Spaced from the apertures 28 is a first row of aligned'slots 30 through which the feet 10 extend.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, the slots 30 have enlarged end portions or fingers 32, 34 which extend laterally in opposite directions to enable pivoting of the feet 14? therein from a substantially fiat position to a position normal to the cover as will be described more in detail hereinafter.

Spaced from the slots 30 is a second row of slots 36 through which the feet 12 extend and these slots 34) have enlarged outer end portions 38 (the ends spaced away from the slots 30) to facilitate insertion of the feet 12 during assembly. Spaced from the slots 36 is a row of aligned apertures 40 through which the locking tabs 16 extend, and the cars 20 thereof extend along the outer surface of the cover to prevent inadvertent disengagement. Adjacent the outer of the overlapping ends of the cover is provided a row of locking apertures 42 which permit releasable engagement of the outer end of the cover 8 upon the locking tabs 14.

Since some of the synthetic plastic sheet materials may have little resistance to tearing at the apertures or slots, it has been found particularly desirable to provide a radius at the corners thereof so as to distribute stresses about the periphery of the aperture. In this manner, the tendency to tear during use is greatly reduced.

As best seen in FIGS. 6 and 8, the cover 8 is provided with a pair of parallel inwardly facing folds 44, 46 which coincide with the intersection of the upper and side edges of the transverse ribs 4, 6 and which cause the cover to be in tension across the top of the carton and to conform closely to the flat surfaces 22, 24. Additional inwardly facing folds 48, 50 on opposite sides of the locking apertures 42 cause the outer end of the cover to seat firmly upon the locking tabs 14 and cause the free end to resiliently bear upon the surface of the inner of the overlapping ends, thus reducing the possibility for inadvertent engagement or hooking thereof and possible accidental opening and spilling of the contents of the carton.

The illustrated carbon embodiment is one which is highly desirable in that the skeleton and cover may be transported and stored in a semi-assembled, substantially fiat condition and then readily assembled into the erected carton for insertion of various articles. The semi-assembled carton unit is illustrated in FIGS. 5-7 and is provided by folding the skeleton into a substantially fiat position by means of the pivotal interlocks between the longitudinal rib 2 and transverse ribs 4, 6 conveniently effected by properly dimensioned dovetailed slots.

The locking tabs 14 extend through the first row of apertures 28 in the cover 8 and the feet 10 extend through the first row of slots 30. Although the feet 10 are of substantial width, the enlarged end portions 32, 34 of the slots 39 and the arcuate recess 13 readily accommodate the width thereof in the generally parallel and partly rotated position required for flattening the semi-assembled unit and enable pivoting of the feet therein from a substantially flat position to the vertical. Since the apertures 38, 4G and 42 are preferably elongated to accommodate the width of the sheet material locking tabs while minimizing the spacing along the sides thereof, the major axis of the apertures 23 of the first row is rotated slightly in the same direction as the fingers or enlargement 32 of the slots 30 from that of the major dimension of the cover 8 so as to accommodate the width of the locking tabs 14 when the skeleton is pivoted into the substantially fiat position.

Although the synthetic plastic sheet material will readily conform to the periphery of the transverse ribs 4, 6 it has been found desirable to provide the folds 44, 46 in heavier gauge material to tension the sheet material across the top of the ribs and the folds 48, 50 to provide a lock for the outer end and butt the end flush 4 against the surface of the inner end of the cover. This effectively eliminates inadvertent hooking of the end of the cover and disengagement from the locking tabs 14. Since the synthetic plastic material is flexible, the folded portions of the cover may be either depressed from the position shown in FIG. 6 or opened somewhat to permit interfitting of a plurality of semi-assembled units for shipping.

In fully assembling the semi-assembled carton units of FIGS. 5-7, the skeleton is first pivoted into upright position while maintaining the feet 10 and locking tabs 14 seated in their respective slots 30 and apertures 28 through the engagement of the ears 11 and 18 thereof along the outer surface of the cover. The cover 8 is then drawn about the transverse ribs 4, 6 and the feet 12 and locking tabs 16 seat in the slots 36 and apertures 40, respectively. The enlarged end portions 33 on the slots 36 serve to facilitate assembly by leading in the outer ends of the feet 12. This simple assembly operation can be performed automatically or semi-automatically in suitably sequenced packaging machines or manually, conveniently with the aid of a suitable jig for holding the cover and skeleton in proper relationship. The articles to be packaged are then inserted into the several compartments and the top of he cover folded over to seat the locking tabs 14 in the locking apertures 42.

Although the illustrated embodiment is one having particular utility for eggs, the cartons of the present invention have wide utility for shipping and display storage of fruit and various other fragile and/ or ornamental articles such as tree ornaments, toys, confections, baked goods, and the like. Similarly, although a single longitudinal rib has been employed, two or more longitudinal ribs may be pro vided for increasing the number of compartments transversely of the carton. The number of and spacing of the transverse ribs also may be readily varied depending upon the number and size of the articles to be packaged.

Although the periphery of the bottom and side edges of the transverse ribs may be rectilinear or polygonal, the illustrated curvilinear configuration has proven most desirable in that it ensures close fitting of the cover thereabout and eliminates the need for folds in heavier gauge materials. As will be readily appreciated, the same considerations provide certain advantages in the continuation of the curvilinear configuration across the tops of the transverse ribs although linear top edges are conveniently employed to facilitate stacking of assembled cartons,

The sheet material from which the skeleton is formed should be relatively rigid so as to provide a high degree of structural strength to the assembly. Both paperboard and heavier gauges of synthetic plastic sheeting may be advantageously employed. Paperboard of 2050 mils thickness has proven highly satisfactory and may be readily colored or printed for various applications and visual effects.

The synthetic plastic sheet material from which the cover is formed should be sufiiciently flexible to conform closely to the periphery of the transverse ribs and should have a high degree of strength so as to resist impacts to which it may be subjected during normal usage. Al though light-gauge films having little rigidity may be employed for some applications, the preferred films exhibit relative rigidity, particularly when stretched about the transverse ribs so as to contribute materially to the strength of the carton and prevent displacement of the transverse ribs. From the standpoint of optimum aesthetic characteristics and visibility, the plastic sheeting should be clear and relatively resistant to scratching during normal usage. When folds are to be made, the material should also exhibit the property of being able to take and to hold resiliently a fold, although the fold will tend to be held by the tension to which the cover is subjected when the carton is fully assembled and closed.

Exemplary of the various synthetic plastic sheetings which may be employed are biaxially oriented polystyrene, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, polyvinyl chloride-acetate copolymer and polyethylene. As a specific example of a highly advantageous material, biaxially oriented polystyrene of 5-15 mils has been particularly effective because of its clarity, high strength and relative rigidity with suificient flexibility for closely conforming to the contours of the transverse ribs.

As can be readily appreciated, the present invention provides a carton which is relatively high strength due to the cooperative contribution between the skeleton and cover while providing a particularly pleasing appearance and permitting viewing of the major portion of the surface of the contents. The feet space the contents upwardly from a planar surface upon which the carton may be placed so as to provide a relatively resilient support for the contents and prevent injury thereto. Since the components are relatively simple to fabricate and assemble, a high degree of versatility is provided, and the components may be only semi-assembled to permit easy storage and shipping.

Although but one specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described herein, it will be understood that modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention.

We claim:

1. A multi-compartment carton comprising a skeleton formed of relatively rigid sheet material and having a longitudinally extending rib and at least three transversely extending ribs, two of said transversely extending ribs being adjacent the ends of said longitudinally extending rib to provide end walls for said carton; and a cover integrally formed from synthetic plastic sheet material extending about and substantially encasing the periphery of said transversely extending ribs and interlocked therewith to provide a relatively rigid carton, said transversely extending ribs having feet along their bottom edges spaced to opposite sides of the center thereof, said cover having apertures therein through which said feet extend to space the bottom surface of the cover adjacent thereto upwardly from an associated planar supporting surface upon which the carton may be placed.

2. The carton in accordance with claim 1 wherein said synthetic plastic sheet material is semi-rigid but sufficiently flexible to conform closely to the periphery of said transversely extending ribs.

3. The carton in accordance with claim 1 wherein said cover and transversely extending ribs are interlocked by locking tabs adjacent the upper ends of the side edges of said transversely extending ribs extending through cooperating apertures in said cover and by said feet and apertures through which said feet extend.

4. The carton in accordance with claim 1 wherein the uppermost portions of said transversely extending ribs are linear and substantially coplanar to define a flat surface for stacking a plurality of cartons.

5. The carton in accordance with claim 1 wherein said longitudinally extending rib bisects said transversely extending ribs and wherein the bottom edge of said longitudinally extending rib is substantially coplanar with the contiguous portions of the bottom edges of said transversely extending ribs.

6. A multi-compartment carton comprising a skeleton formed of relatively rigid sheet material and having a longitudinally extending rib and at least three transversely extending ribs, two of said transversely extending ribs being adjacent the ends of said longitudinally extending rib to provide end walls for said carton, said transversely extending ribs having feet along their bottom edges spaced on opposite sides of the center thereof and locking tabs on their side edges, the periphery of the bottom and side edges of said transversely extending ribs being substantially curvilinear; and a cover integrally formed of synthetic plastic sheet material extending about and substantially encasing the periphery of said transversely extending ribs, said cover having apertures therein through which said feet and locking tabs extend to lock said cover upon said skeleton and provide a relatively rigid carton, the ends of said cover overlapping adjacent the upper portion of one of said side edges of said transversely extending ribs.

7. The carton in accordance with claim 6 wherein the uppermost portions of the top edges of said transversely extending ribs are linear and substantially coplanar to define a fiat surface for stacking of a plurality of cartons.

8. The carton in accordance with claim 6 wherein the outer end of the overlapping ends of said cover has apertures for releasable engagement upon the locking tabs of said one of the side edges of said transversely extending ribs.

9. The carton in accordance with claim 6 wherein said locking tabs have upwardly projecting ears thereon extending beyond the margins of the cooperating apertures in said cover to prevent inadvertent disengagement.

10. A multi-compartment comprising a skeleton formed of relatively rigid sheet material and having a longitudinally extending rib and at least three transversely extending ribs, said transversely extending ribs being interlocked with said longitudinally extending rib to provide a relatively rigid skeleton, two of said transverse extending ribs being adjacent the ends of said longitudinally extending rib to provide end walls for said carton, each of said transversely extending ribs having a pair of feet along its bottom edge spaced to opposite sides of the center thereof and locking tabs on each of the side edges adjacent the upper end thereof, the periphery of said bottom and side edges of said transversely extending ribs being substantially curvilinear; and a cover integrally formed of synthetic plastic sheet material extending transversely of the carton about and substantially encasing the periphery of said transversely extending ribs and of sufiicient width to extend beyond said end ribs, said sheet material being semirigid but sufiiciently flexible to conform closely to the periphery of said transversely extending ribs, said cover having apertures therein through which said feet and locking tabs extends to lock said cover upon said skeleton and provide a relatively rigid carton, the ends of said cover overlapping at the upper portion of one of said side edges of said transversely extending ribs.

11. The carton in accordance with claim 10 wherein said longitudinally extending rib bisects the transversely extending ribs and has its bottom edge substantially coplanar with the contiguous portions of said transversely extending ribs and wherein the uppermost portions of the upper edges of said transversely extending ribs are linear and substantially coplanar to define a flat top surface for stacking a plurality of cartons.

12. The carton in accordance with claim 11 wherein said cover is folded at the intersection of the upper side edges and top edges to lie substantially flat thereon and wherein the outer of said overlapping ends has apertures therein for releasable engagement upon the locking tabs of said one of said transversely extending ribs, said apertures in said outer end being spaced inwardly from the extreme end thereof and the unapertured portion being bent inwardly towards the skeleton so as to resiliently bear upon the surface of the inner of said overlapping ends.

13. A semi-assembled unit for multi-compartment carton comprising a skeleton formed of relatively rigid sheet material and having a longitudinally extending rib and at least three transversely extending ribs pivotally interlocked therewith, two of said transversely extending ribs being interlocked adjacent the ends of said longitudinally extending rib to provide end walls for said carton upon assembly, said ribs lying in a substantially flat position and being adapted to be pivoted into upright position to provide a relatively rigid skeleton, said transversely extending ribs having feet along their bottom edges spaced on opposite sides of the center thereof and locking tabs on their side edges; and a cover integrally formed from synthetic plastic sheet material dimensioned to extend about and substantially encasing the periphery of said transversely extending ribs and have its ends overlap adjacent the upper end of one side of said transversely extending ribs, said cover having apertures therein through which the locking tabs on said one side of said transversely extending ribs and the adjacent feet extend and having additional apertures therein through which the other feet and locking tabs will extend upon erection of the skeleton into upright position and folding of the cover thereabout to provide a relatively rigid carton with the feet spacing the bottom of the cover adjacent thereto upwardly from an associated planar supporting surface upon which the carton may be placed.

14. The semi-assembled unit in accordance with claim 13 wherein said synthetic plastic sheet material is semirigid but sufficiently flexible to conform closely to the periphery of said transversely extending ribs.

15. A semi-assembled unit for a multi-compartment carton comprising a skeleton formed of relatively rigid sheet material and having a longitudinally extending rib and at least three transversely extending ribs pivotally interlocked therewith, two of said transversely extending ribs being interlocked adjacent the ends of said longitudinally extending rib to provide end walls for said carton upon assembly, said ribs lying in a substantially fiat position and being adapted to be pivoted into upright position to provide a relatively rigid skeleton, said transversely extending ribs having feet along; their bottom edges spaced on opposite sides of the center thereof and locking tabs on their side edges adjacent the upper ends thereof; and a cover integrally formed from synthetic plastic sheet material dimensioned to extend about and substantially encasing the periphery of said transversely extending ribs and have its ends overlap adjacent the upper end of one side of said transversely extending ribs, said cover having a first set of apertures therein through which the locking tabs on said one side of said transversely extending ribs extend and a first set of slots through which the adjacent feet extend, said cover having a second set of slots and a second set of apertures therein through which the other feet and locking tabs respectively will extend upon erection of the skeletion into upright position and folding of the cover thereabout to provide a relatively rigid carton with the feet spacing the bottom of the cover adjacent thereto upwardly from an associated planar supporting surface upon which the carton may be placed, said adjacent feet having ears thereon extending toward the other of said feet along the outer surface of said cover and said locking tabs having upwardly extending ears thereon for extension along the outer surface of the cover to prevent inadvertent disengagement, the slots of said first set having enlarged portions at their ends to permit pivoting of the feet therein.

16. A semi-assembled unit for a multi-compartment carton comprising a skeleton formed of relatively rigid sheet material and having a longitudinally extending rib and at least three transversely extending ribs p-ivotally interlocked therewith, two of said transversely extending ribs being interlocked adjacent the ends of said longitudinally extending rib to provide end walls for said carton upon assembly, said ribs lying in a substantially fiat position and being adapted to be pivoted into upright position to provide a relatively rigid skeleton, said transversely extending ribs having feet along their bottom edges spaced on opposite sides of the center thereof and locking tabs on their side edges adjacent the upper ends thereof, the periphery of the bottom and side edges of said transversely extending ribs being substantially curvilinear and the uppermost portions of the top edges thereof being linear and substantially coplanar to define a fiat surface for stacking a plurality of cartons; and a cover integrally formed from synthetic plastic sheet material dimensioned to extend about and substantially encasing the periphery of said transversely extending ribs and have its ends overlap adjacent the upper end of one side of said transversely extending ribs, said plastic sheet material being semi-rigid but suficiently flexible to conform closely to the periphery of said transversely extending ribs, said cover having a first set of aligned apertures therein through which the locking tabs on said one side of said transversely extending ribs extend and a first set of slots through which the adjacent feet extend, said cover having a second set of slots therein through which the other feet and locking tabs respectively will extend upon erection of the skeleton into upright position and folding of the cover thereabout to provide a relatively rigid carton with the feet spacing the bottom of the cover adjacent thereto upwardly from an associated planer supporting surface upon which the carton may be placed, said adjacent feet having ears thereon extending towards the other feet along the outer surface of said cover and said locking tabs having upwardly extending ears thereon for extension along the outer surface of the cover to prevent inadvertent disengagement, the slots of said first set having enlarged end portions to permit pivoting of the feet therein, the outer of said overlapping ends of said cover having apertures therein for releasable engagernent upon the locking tabs of said one side of said transversely extending ribs.

17. The semi-assembled unit in accordance with claim 16 wherein said cover has inwardly facing folds therein extending parallel to the longitudinally extending rib dimensioned to coincide with the intersection of the side and top edges of said transversely extending ribs and additionally has parallel inwardly facing folds in the outer of said overlapping end portions on opposite sides of said apertures whereby the cover will closely conform to and lie flat upon the skeleton and the free outer overlapping end will resiliently bear upon the surface of the inner of said overlapping ends upon assembly.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,313,487 Heshe Mar. 8, 1943 2,697,547 Wagonseller Dec. 21, 1954 2,706,038 Murphy et al Apr. 12, 1955 3,016,131 Kennedy Jan. 9, 1962 

10. A MULTI-COMPARTMENT COMPRISING A SKELETON FORMED OF RELATIVELY RIGID SHEET MATERIAL AND HAVING A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING RIB AND AT LEAST THREE TRANSVERSELY EXTENDING RIBS, SAID TRANSVERSELY EXTENDING RIBS BEING INTERLOCKED WITH SAID LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING RIB TO PROVIDE A RELATIVELY RIGID SKELETON, TWO OF SAID TRANSVERSE EXTENDING RIBS BEING ADJACENT THE ENDS OF SAID LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING RIB TO PROVIDE END WALLS FOR SAID CARTON, EACH OF SAID TRANSVERSELY EXTENDING RIBS HAVING A PAIR OF FEET ALONG ITS BOTTOM EDGE SPACED TO OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE CENTER THEREOF AND LOCKING TABS ON EACH OF THE SIDE EDGES ADJACENT THE UPPER END THEREOF, THE PERIPHERY OF SAID BOTTOM AND SIDE EDGES OF SAID TRANSVERSELY EXTENDING RIBS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY CURVILINEAR; AND A COVER INTEGRALLY FORMED OF SYNTHETIC PLASTIC SHEET MATERIAL EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF THE CARTON ABOUT AND SUBSTANTIALLY ENCASING THE PERIPHERY OF SAID TRANSVERSELY EXTENDING RIBS AND OF SUFFICIENT WIDTH TO EXTEND BEYOND SAID END RIBS, SAID SHEET MATERIAL BEING SEMIRIGID BUT SUFFICIENTLY FLEXIBLE TO CONFORM CLOSELY TO THE PERIPHERY OF SAID TRANSVERSELY EXTENDING RIBS, SAID COVER HAVING APERTURES THEREIN THROUGH WHICH SAID FEET AND LOCKING TABS EXTENDS TO LOCK SAID COVER UPON SAID SKELETON AND PROVIDE A RELATIVELY RIGID CARTON, THE ENDS OF SAID COVER OVERLAPPING AT THE UPPER PORTION OF ONE OF SAID SIDE EDGES OF SAID TRANSVERSELY EXTENDING RIBS. 